JPH0378091B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a dispensing device mainly used for dispensing frozen desserts such as soft serve ice cream and ice cream into containers such as corn cups for sale.

[Conventional technology and issues to be solved] Soft-serve ice cream freezers traditionally used to sell soft-serve ice cream freeze a predetermined amount of soft-serve ice cream raw materials at the store, and then dispense this in predetermined amounts at a time. It has come to be sold in containers such as soup corn cups.

In this way, conventional freezers have complicated internal mechanisms due to the need for freezing, and also require frequent cleaning of the inside of the machine for hygiene reasons, which is extremely time-consuming and troublesome. If this cleaning is insufficient, bacteria will grow and become unsanitary. Further, since the operation and cleaning of the freezer requires human labor, it cannot be used in a vending machine.

Therefore, instead of freezing at the store, factory-produced frozen desserts such as soft serve ice cream and ice cream are packed into containers such as bags, and this cream container is set in a dispensing device to push out the cream frozen dessert inside. I thought about serving it in corn cups, etc.

As a means for this, a cream container such as soft serve ice cream is provided inside the device main body, the opening of the container is connected to a nozzle attached to the device main body, and the container is pressed by a pressing means. When the contents of the cream frozen dessert are dispensed from the nozzle part, the contents of the cream frozen dessert come into direct contact with the mechanical opening/closing mechanism parts of the nozzle part, such as the pot and the valve, and this part If you don't wash it, it becomes unsanitary. Furthermore, if the nozzle part attached to the main body device is not provided with a cold insulation structure, melting will begin from this nozzle part, and the presentation of the cream frozen dessert to be dispensed will deteriorate.

In particular, vending machines that require cleaning are not approved from a sanitary standpoint, and as mentioned above, machines with a structure in which the cream frozen dessert itself comes into contact with a part of the machine are unsanitary and cannot be used for vending. It cannot be approved as a machine.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a dispensing device that can dispense the cream frozen dessert, which is a product to be dispensed, without touching any part of the machine, is hygienic, and has an excellent cooling effect at the nozzle part. It is.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the present invention for solving the above problems, a soft ice cream made of an airtight and flexible material such as synthetic resin is placed inside an insulating case equipped with a cold storage means. A tube-shaped nozzle portion of the cream storage container is fitted into a nozzle fitting hole provided at the lower part of the heat insulating case, and the tip of the nozzle portion is exposed to the outside. By pressing the main body part of the cream storage container with a pressing means as appropriate, the cream frozen dessert can be pushed out from the nozzle part. It is characterized in that the nozzle part is provided so that it can be compressed and sealed by means of pressing from its outer part.

In the above dispensing device, the means for pressing the main body of the cream storage container and the means for pressing against the nozzle are configured so that compressed air can be supplied separately into the heat insulating case and into the nozzle fitting hole. It is particularly preferable to provide it in the air and press it by means of this pneumatic means.

[Function] According to the dispensing device of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the cream storage container such as soft serve ice cream accommodated in the heat insulating case is kept in a cold state within the case, and the cream storage container is kept cool. In addition, the tube-shaped nozzle part fitted into the nozzle fitting hole of the heat insulating case is compressed by a pressing means such as air pressure from the outside, and the inner peripheral surface is kept in a tight state, that is, in a sealed state. This nozzle part is also kept cold due to the period of the nozzle fitting hole, and the cream frozen dessert contained therein will not melt from this part.

When selling cream frozen desserts such as soft serve ice cream, the pressure applied to the nozzle part by the pressing means is released, and at the same time, the pressing means such as pneumatic means for the cream storage container is activated to press the storage container. The nozzle part expands due to the internal pressure, and the cream frozen dessert content is dispensed from the nozzle part, which is received by a corn cup or the like.

When a certain amount has been dispensed, the pressure on the cream storage container is released, and at the same time, the tube-shaped nozzle part is compressed by again operating the pressing means for this part, so that the inner surface of the tube-shaped nozzle part is brought into close contact with the cream storage container and kept in a sealed state.

Therefore, if the operation of the above-mentioned pressing means etc. could be performed automatically using electrical and mechanical means, no human intervention would be required, and the cream frozen confectionery in the contents section would be completely removed from the main body of the device. It will be dispensed without coming into contact with any part of the body.

[Example] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a heat insulating case in which a heat insulating material 1c such as a synthetic resin foam is filled between the inner and outer wall surfaces 1a and 1b, and the upper part is configured to be openable and closable by a lid 2. A jacket portion 4 is provided around the internal space 3 of the heat insulating case 1, and is capable of circulating and feeding a cooling medium such as cooling air sent from a freezing means (not shown), and is used to store cream frozen desserts such as soft serve ice cream. Although it varies depending on the temperature of
The internal space 3 can be cooled and kept at, for example, about -6°C to -8°C. Further, a nozzle fitting hole 6 is provided approximately at the center of the bottom wall 5 of the heat insulating case 1, and extends through the nozzle fitting hole 6 in the vertical direction, and an enlarged diameter space 7 is formed in a part of the nozzle fitting hole 6 in the bottom wall 5. At the same time, a jacket part 8 is provided around the enlarged diameter space 7 to which a cooling medium such as cooling air can be circulated, and a nozzle part to be described later which is fitted into the nozzle fitting hole 6 is cooled in the same manner as described above. It is designed to be kept cold. In the case of the figure, the cooling medium fed to the jacket part 8 from the supply port 7a is sent to the jacket part 4 of the internal space 3 via the communication path 7b, and is sent out from the delivery port 4a. However, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which the cooling medium is supplied to both the jacket parts 4 and 8 separately. Furthermore, a support part 9 for mounting in the shape of a rectangular cylinder such as a hexagon is provided protruding from the inner surface of the bottom wall 5 around the nozzle fitting hole 6 .

Reference numeral 10 denotes a cream storage container having a capacity of about 5 liters, such as soft serve ice cream, which is housed in the heat insulating case 10, and is mainly a bag-shaped container made of an airtight and flexible material such as a plastic bag or other synthetic resin. The inside is filled with factory-produced cream frozen desserts such as soft serve ice cream. This cream storage container 10 has a tube-shaped nozzle part 12 that is integrally connected to a main body part 11, and a stopper (not shown) is usually fitted to the tip of this nozzle part 12 after cream is filled. The container is sealed and held in a sealed state, and handled during transportation etc. in this state.

An attachment and holding member 13 is attached to the tube-shaped nozzle portion 12 for receiving and supporting the main body portion 11 and holding the nozzle portion 12. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, this attachment and holding member 13 has a rectangular fitting part 14 such as a hexagonal shape that fits into the support part 9 on the side of the heat insulation case 1, and also holds the nozzle part 12 in the fitted state. It also has a cylindrical portion 15 that fits into the nozzle fitting hole 6. The distal end portion of the cylindrical portion 15 has windows 17 that are cut out and communicated with the enlarged diameter space 7 of the nozzle fitting hole 6 so as to leave a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction as connecting portions 16 .

That is, the nozzle part 12 is fitted into the nozzle fitting hole 6 together with the cylindrical part 15 of the mounting and holding member 13, and the rectangular fitting part 14 is fitted into the mounting support part 9 in the heat insulating case 1. Nozzle part 12
The window 17 substantially corresponds to the enlarged diameter space 7 when the tip thereof is held with its tip exposed to the outside.

Reference numerals 18 and 19 are packing materials for sealing between the inner periphery of the nozzle fitting hole 6 and the cylindrical portion 15 of the attachment and holding member 13 at the upper and lower portions of the enlarged diameter space 7 of the nozzle fitting hole 6; It is provided to keep the radial space 7 airtight. 20 is a packing material for sealing between the main body of the heat insulating case 1 and the lid body 2.

The above-mentioned heat insulating case 1 has the internal space 3.
Main body part 1 of cream storage container 10 housed inside
1 is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, this pressing means is provided so that compressed air can be supplied to the internal space 3 from an air supply port 21, and the main body portion 11 of the storage container 10 can be pressed by this air pressure. This allows the contents of the cream frozen dessert to be pushed out.

Further, the expanded diameter space 7 of the nozzle fitting hole 6 into which the nozzle part 12 is fitted is also provided so that compressed air can be supplied from the air inlet 22, and the nozzle part 12 is compressively deformed by this compressed air. By bringing the inner circumferential surface into close contact with each other, it is possible to maintain the airtight state. For this purpose, the nozzle section 12
The length of the portion corresponding to the window 17 is allowed to be sufficient for the sealing effect due to the compressive deformation.

In order to supply the compressed air, the air supply ports 21 and 22 are connected to a compressor (not shown) via connecting pipes 23 and 24 such as hoses, so that the air pressure can be increased or decreased individually. When compressed air is supplied to the internal space 3 and the pressure is increased to extrude the cream frozen dessert, the expanded diameter space 7 around the nozzle portion 12 is depressurized.

The extrusion speed of the cream frozen dessert from the nozzle part 12 is determined by the air pressure in the internal space, and usually varies depending on the temperature of the cream frozen dessert, that is, the degree of freezing and softness, so the pressure is automatically adjusted according to the temperature of the cream frozen dessert. It would be desirable to configure it so that it can be adjusted. Furthermore, by changing the air pressure that acts as a pressing means for the nozzle portion 12, the closing speed of the nozzle portion 12 can be changed, and thereby the amount of food to be served can also be changed.

The cream container 10 filled with factory-produced cream frozen desserts such as soft serve ice cream and shipped is stored in the freezer of a vending machine at a temperature of -6°C to -7°C suitable for sale.
Thaw to ℃. After this, the stopper of the nozzle part 12 is removed, and a nozzle opening 25 made of plastic or the like is set in an extruded shape inside the tip of the nozzle part 12.
and set it in the heat insulating case 1 as described above.

That is, the cream storage container 10 is housed in a heat insulating case 1 provided to be able to keep it cool, and the tube-shaped nozzle portion 12 provided in the storage container 10 is further installed.
and the nozzle fitting hole 6 provided at the bottom of the heat insulating case 1 together with the mounting and holding member 13 that holds it.
The nozzle part 12 is held in such a manner that the tip of the nozzle part is exposed to the outside, and the nozzle part 12 is compressed and deformed by a pressing means using air pressure to bring the inner peripheral surface into close contact with each other and hold the nozzle part 12 in a sealed state. This nozzle portion 12 is kept cool by cooling air flowing into the jacket portion 8 around the nozzle fitting hole 6, and the cream frozen confectionery contained therein will not melt from this portion.

When selling cream frozen desserts such as soft serve ice cream, the pressure by air pressure, which is the pressing means against the nozzle part 12, is released, and at the same time, the air pressure, which is the pressing means against the main body part 11 of the cream storage container 10, is increased. When the main body part 11 of the storage container 10 is pressed, the nozzle part 12 expands due to the internal pressure, and the cream frozen dessert is dispensed from the nozzle part 12, which is then poured into a corn cup or the like. receive.

When a certain amount is dispensed, the pressure on the cream storage container 10 is released, and at the same time, the nozzle portion 12 is compressed by air pressure to bring its inner surface into close contact with each other and maintain a sealed state.

Therefore, if the operation of the above-mentioned pressing means etc. could be performed automatically using electrical and mechanical means, no human intervention would be required at all, and the cream frozen confectionery contents would be completely removed from the apparatus itself. It will be dispensed without coming into contact with any part of the body.

When used in a vending machine, the vending machine itself is equipped with a freezer for storing spare cream containers 10, which are thawed to a temperature suitable for extrusion sales. Further, the control device is configured so that the above-mentioned series of push-out actions are performed by pressing a switch button after inserting a normal coin. The cone cup may also be provided so that it is dropped into the filling supply section at the same time as the coin is inserted.

In the above embodiment, a case was shown in which pneumatic means were used as the means for pressing the main body part 11 of the cream storage container 10 and the means for pressing the nozzle part 12, but the present invention is similar to the above. It is also possible to use other pressing means, such as mechanical means, as long as the pressing means can perform the pressing action.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the dispensing device of the present invention, the nozzle portion of the cream storage container such as soft serve ice cream accommodated in the heat insulation case is held so as to protrude outside the heat insulation case, By pressing the main body of the container and releasing the pressure on the nozzle at the same time,
Since the cream content is extruded and dispensed from the nozzle part, the cream frozen dessert content does not touch the heat insulating case at all, and is dispensed only through the nozzle part that is integrated with the storage container. The dispensing device is extremely hygienic and does not require cleaning at all by making the storage container such as a bag and the nozzle disposable. Moreover, since the nozzle part can be kept cold, there is no risk of melting from this part, and there is no risk of bacteria growth, making it even more sanitary.
Therefore, it can be used very suitably as a dispensing device for a vending machine.

In particular, when pneumatic means is used as the pressing means, pressing against the main body of the cream storage container,
Moreover, the pressing action on the nozzle portion is performed more favorably, and its control is easier and the structure is simpler.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2
The figure is a cross-sectional view before setting the cream storage container.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the nozzle portion, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken along the line of FIG. 1 during extrusion and sealing. 1... Insulation case, 2... Lid, 3... Internal space, 4... Jacket part, 6... Nozzle fitting hole,
7... Expanded diameter space, 8... Jacket part, 10...
Cream storage container, 11... Main body part, 12... Nozzle part, 13... Attachment holding member, 17... Window,
25...Nozzle mouth body.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cream storage container made of an airtight and flexible material such as synthetic resin and containing frozen desserts such as soft serve ice cream is housed in an insulated case equipped with a cold storage means. , the tube-shaped nozzle part of the cream storage container is fitted into the nozzle fitting hole in the lower part of the heat insulating case, the tip of the nozzle part is held outside, and the main body part of the cream storage container is held. The cream frozen dessert can be pushed out from the nozzle portion by pressing with an appropriate pressing means, and the surrounding area of the nozzle fitting hole is provided to be able to be kept cold, and the nozzle portion is compressed by pressing means from the outside thereof. A dispensing device for selling soft-serve ice cream, etc., characterized by being installed in a manner that allows it to be sealed. 2. In the dispensing device for selling soft-serve ice cream and the like according to claim 1, a pressure means for pressing the main body of the cream storage container and a pressing means for the nozzle are provided in the heat insulating case and in the nozzle fitting hole. A dispensing device for selling soft-serve ice cream, etc., characterized in that it is provided so that compressed air can be supplied to each separately, and that the pressure can be pressed by pneumatic means.